A: Whether it’s illuminating a patio, a landscape or a water garden, outdoor lighting can have a dramatic impact on the area’s space. It creates a special mood and spotlights stunning features while adding ambient light to the environment.

Underwater lighting is best installed when your pond is empty, like while it’s being constructed or – in most cases – while you’re doing your annual spring cleanout. If you’re putting in lights this spring, here are four key tips to follow:

Choose the Right Lights: Landscaping lights come in many different sizes and varieties, and so it can be hard to choose the best for your needs. Luckily, we offer three above- and underwater lights that will do the trick.

LEDPro™ 6-Watt LED Light Kit: These lights highlight your pond and landscaping with energy-efficient LED bulbs. It shines with the same intensity as a 50-watt halogen but with a longer life span and lower energy costs.

LEDPro™ Rock Lights: Featuring a realistic stone finish, these small warm-white LED lights illuminate 10 watts per light but use only 2 watts of power. They’re perfect for accenting special features in your garden.

Point Lights to the Pond: Rather than directing your landscape lights toward the patio or other viewing area, shine the light on pond instead. Your goal is to illuminate your water feature – not blind yourself while viewing it.

Cast an Underwater Glow: Beneath the water’s surface, install lights that will spotlight your waterfall or stream’s cascading water. And don’t forget to include some that will highlight landscaping around and pondscaping in your water feature, too.

Stash Extra Power Cord: To give yourself easy accessibility to the underwater lights when you need to change their bulbs, wrap some excess power cord around the light. This will allow you to simply pull the light out of the water and change the bulb without having to drain the water or move a rock.

Over time, algae and other debris will build up on your lights – and so you’ll need to add a new to-do item on your spring cleanout checklist! Each year, plan to give those lenses a good scrubbing and replace any burned-out bulbs.

Q: I would like to add pond lighting to my water garden. Do you have any suggestions when placing pond lights for the best effect? Oh by the way I love your question and answer emails, keep them coming! – Cassandra of Illinois

A: Adding pond lights is a great way to bring your water garden to life after dark. There are a few things to think about when setting up pond lights.

#1 – Point Pond Lights Away From the Viewing Area. When placing your pond lights, it is always suggested to point the lights away from the viewing area (where you sit or stand to enjoy your water garden the most). This will prevent the lights from shining in your eyes when trying to enjoy the view.

#2 – Selecting the right light. Pond lighting is generally 12 volt. 12-Volt is much easier and safer to work with then standard 115v power. 12 volt power is produced by simply adding a transformer. There are basically two types of lights spot lights and flood lights. The difference is that a spot light will produce an intense light to directly light up a subject or feature, where a flood light can provide a glow on a larger target.

Tip: It is recommended to use only 90% of the total transformer output to maximize light potential. For example: a 300 watt transformer should have a maximum of 270 watts. That would be equivalent to (5) 50 watt lights and (1) 20 watt light. Please Note: Some pond lights will come with their own transformer.

#3 – Combo Underwater Lighting and Landscape Lighting. Don’t only think of adding pond lights to light up the water. Make sure to add some landscape lighting to show off your landscape and set the tone.